"Rome, a major world centre for Renaissance, will witness renaissance in women's and newborns' health with this unique gathering of international experts, including the finest scientists and speakers, sharing leading-edge knowledge on technology, innovation and preventive measures in all aspects of women's health", announces Professor Gamal Serour, President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), which will hold its XX World Congress in the Eternal City, during the period October 7th-12th 2012.

Over 7,000 participants from across the world will gather in Rome for this major unrivalled conference: healthcare professionals, leaders from partnership and UN organisations, policy and decision makers, patient groups, and representatives of international media.

"With Professor William Dunlop, Chairman of the International Scientific Programme Committee, Professor Jacques Milliez, Chairman of the Congress Organising Committee, and Professor Giovanni Scambia, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, we guarantee that the Congress will be a rewarding scientific exchange in many aspects of women's health from the basics to cutting-edge science. We are determined to make the FIGO2012 Congress - held in Europe only once every 15 years - a memorable event", he adds.

The programme is broad and varied in content with subspecialty society, regional federation and member society sessions to meet the needs of all levels of expertise around the world. In around 300 sessions, including exciting presentations on gynecological oncology, maternal and fetal medicine, reproductive medicine, sexual and reproductive health and urogynecology, nearly 200 international experts will share best knowledge in women's health.

Some of the FIGO2012 main features are: a special Pre-Congress Workshop focusing on strategies to improve global reproductive, maternal and newborns' health (October 5th-6th); the highly prestigious President's Session - "The Role of Professional Organisations in Accelerating Progress on Health-Related Millennium Development Goals", including top representatives from UN and professional organisations (October 8th); new and valuable transmissions of live surgery from several European centres; and important keynote lectures, symposia, oral communications, poster displays, and special sessions sponsored by international organisations.

Delegates will also have the unique opportunity to participate in a Papal Audience on October 10th.

The conference promises to be one of the best sources of news and features in reproductive medicine and women's health. FIGO2012 welcomes journalists: please fill the registration form at http://www.figo2012.org/press-registration/ and register free uploading your press credentials.